Sunday, November 18, 2012

My Guest, Romance Author Debra St. John, Tells Us About Her Next Big Thing for Thanksgiving

My guest today is a very good friend of mine and a great romance author, by the name of Debra St. John. Debra is answering questions to share her Next Big Thing for Thanksgiving with us.

What is the
title of your book?

An Unexpected
Blessing

Where did the
idea come from for the book?

I wanted to write a Thanksgiving story, so I had a lot of the
background details in my head. I knew it would include all the best things
about the holiday: food, things to be thankful for, and time with family. I
also knew I wanted the setting to be a small town. The actual plot for the
storyline just came to me one day.

What genre does
your book fall under?

Contemporary romance. I’d call it cozy with some spice!

Which actors
would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Well, he’s not really an actor, but country singer Justin Moore
has the right look and the right smile to play Joe. I think Natalie Portman
would make a good Katy.

What is the
one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When an ex-con and the girl he’s had a secret crush on for years
reunite, the sparks fly and attraction blooms, but their love is put to the
test by small town gossip that can’t get over his past.

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, but it so often
gets pushed aside and forgotten in the rush to get to Christmas. I wanted a
book to celebrate all of the wonderful things about Thanksgiving.

What else about
your book might pique the reader's interest?

My heroine, Katy, shares my views about Christmas needing to wait
its turn in order to give Thanksgiving its rightful due!

She slid
hers into his warm grasp. As always, his touch caused a little shock in her
heart. The weight of a hundred pairs of eyes followed them out onto the floor.
The dirt was packed smooth, and a ring of hay bales marked the area. Her tummy
quivered with a combination of nerves and anticipation.

He found
an open spot, which wasn’t difficult with the other couples affording them a
wide berth, and then curved his arm around her waist to draw her close. Her
body fit perfectly against him. A shiver tingled through her. She rested her
free hand on his shoulder.

His thigh
brushed hers as he rhythmically shuffled his feet to the music. His gaze
captured and held hers. The rest of the room faded as she stared into the warm,
melted chocolate brown of his eyes.

She didn’t
care that people whispered. Snuck glances. Or outright gaped. All she cared
about was swaying to a soft, slow beat. The quicker thud of her heart. Strong
arms wrapped around her. And the desire to stay right where she was. Maybe
forever.

I'm looking forward to reading this, Debra, especially as we don't have Thanksgiving here in the UK so it's something I've never experienced. I'm very impressed that you wrote the first draft in only two months too!